Golf Scramble Rules: How a Scramble Works

A scramble is a team golf format, usually for teams of four. It is popular at charity events and company outings because it is fast, social and forgiving for beginners.

How it works

1. Every player tees off.
2. The team chooses the best drive.
3. All players hit their next shot from that spot.
4. Repeat until the ball is holed. The team records one score per hole.

Common rules

• Placing the ball: usually within one club length of the chosen spot, not nearer the hole, in the same type of terrain (fairway stays fairway, rough stays rough).
• On the green: mark the chosen putt and place each ball within a few inches of the mark.
• Drive requirement: many events require using a minimum number of drives from each player, often two to four over 18 holes.
• Order: players often let the best putter go last.

Local rules vary; the event sheet always wins.

Handicaps

Team handicaps are usually a percentage of each player's handicap, set by the organizer.

Variants

Variant	Twist
Texas scramble	Usually used in the UK for the scramble with a drive requirement
Florida scramble (step-aside)	The player whose shot is chosen sits out the next shot
Ambrose	A scramble with handicaps applied, common in Australia

Tips

• Let the safest hitter tee off first; others can then swing freely.
• Use a weaker player's good drive early to meet requirements.
• Keep the pace up: scrambles get slow with many teams.